🎬 F1: The Movie (2025) Review – A High-Octane Spectacle with Mixed Emotions
Release Date: June 25, 2025 (globally), June 27, 2025 (North America)
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Brad Pitt (Sonny Hayes), Damson Idris (Joshua Pearce), Kerry Condon (Kate McKenna), Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies
Genre: Sports Drama / Action
Runtime: 156 minutes, Rated PG-13
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🔍 Overview
F1: The Movie brings the raw speed and global glamour of Formula One to the big screen. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt as a veteran driver back in the game, this film is brimming with stunning visuals and real-world racing footage .
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✅ The Highlights
**Impressive Visuals & Cinematography:**
Cinematographer Claudio Miranda captures every twist, turn, and pedal slam with visceral intensity. The use of real Grand Prix footage—Silverstone, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi—adds unmatched authenticity .
**Brad Pitt’s Performance:**
Pitt’s portrayal of Sonny Hayes, a grizzled former F1 star, brings calm gravitas and seasoned charm to the film—screening as a mature lead with charisma .
Driving Sequences:
The practical, CGI-free racing scenes—shot during live events—have audiences on edge. This film elevates racing action to new cinematic heights .
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❌ Where It Falls Short
**Thin Storyline & Clichés:**
Critics point out that while the film looks spectacular, its storyline leans heavily on clichés—retired hero returns, mentor-protégé drama, and obligatory tech-versus-instinct tropes .
**Character Development Weaknesses:**
Supporting characters lack depth, and the romantic subplot with Kate feels underexplored amid the roar of the racecars .
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🏁 Final Verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
F1 triumphs in its thrilling spectacle: superb cinematography, authentic F1 scenes, and Pitt’s calm, confident presence. But it stumbles in depth. If you’re a racing fan, you’ll love the adrenaline—but if you crave emotional complexity like Ford v Ferrari or Rush, it may leave you wanting.
